How area schools are spending

Houston area school districts have completed their 2013-14 budgets. See how your school district is spending your money.

By Carrie Taylor

on October 1, 2013 3:36 PM

Photo: Kim Christensen/Freelance

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Cy-Fair ISD

2013-14 budget: $776.7 million

Cy-Fair ISD new budget did not increase tax rates for residents. The budget allows for a starting teacher salary of $48,000, an average salary increase for teachers of nearly 4 percent, more Cy-Fair Police Department personnel and vehicles, an additional counselor at each high school and the opening of its newest school, Pope Elementary School.

In May, Clear Creek ISD voters approved $367 million in bonds to be spent on rebuilding old schools and constructing additional facilities for extracurricular activities. The bonds created a 13 cent increase on the district’s tax rate, but in September the board approved a financing plan that they say will save taxpayers $51 million.

The existing budget funds 18 additional teaching units and a minimum 4 percent raise for teachers – the first raise for CCISD teachers in a few years.

Clear Creek ISD also increased funds for facilities maintenance and repairs, staff additions, all of which amounted to about a $200 increase in expenditures per student ($8,964 from $8,620 in 2012-13).

Clear Creek ISD also increased funds for facilities maintenance and repairs, staff additions, all of which amounted to about a $200 increase in expenditures per student ($8,964 from $8,620 in 2012-13).

Katy ISD will ask its voters to support a proposed $99 million bond referendum at a Nov. 5 election to fund projects not included in the 2013-14 budget. These projects include a $65.9 million stadium as well as a science and technology center and an agriculture complex.

Katy ISD's new budget allows for $452 million to be spent on payroll costs, the district’s largest expenditure item.

Katy ISD's new budget allows for $452 million to be spent on payroll costs, the district’s largest expenditure item.

Photo: Â Tony Bullard 2013, Freelance Photographer

Katy ISD's new budget allows for $452 million to be spent on... Photo-5068169.71195 - Houston Chronicle

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Fort Bend ISD

2013-14 budget: $497 million

Fort Bend ISD increased its budget by about $20 million from the 2012-13 figure. About 61 percent of the budget is allotted to instruction costs, and the second-most expensive line item is plant maintenance and operations, requiring $52 million.